Upon learning of their early return, worry preceded surprise for the others.
Mu Lanshu rose with concern, but seeing the worried expression on the old lady's face, she reassured her, "Perhaps Gu Nian missed Little Millet Cake, so she pulled Chu Zhaoyang back early."
She chuckled softly, adding, "After marriage, this child has become even more willful. They should have enjoyed their honeymoon properly; how could they return so soon?"
The old lady wasn't too concerned, understanding Mu Lanshu's underlying worry about Gu Nian being perceived as willful.
"Little Millet Cake has been counting the days at home. They're back early, so he must be delighted," the old lady smiled.
Little Millet Cake, however, didn't think as deeply as the old couple and Mu Lanshu. He worried that Gu Nian and Chu Zhaoyang might have encountered something outside.
Knowing they had returned early was truly a pleasant surprise.
After a moment of shock, Little Millet Cake casually tossed the game controller onto the carpet and ran to the door.
"Are Mom and Dad back?" he asked eagerly, standing on tiptoe.
Unfortunately, he was too short to see the video intercom screen.
By now, though, Chu Zhaoyang and Gu Nian had already entered the courtyard, out of view of the intercom.
Aunt Gao explained to Little Millet Cake, who impatiently urged Gaoshen to open the door.
With a smile, Aunt Gao opened the door, seeing Chu Zhaoyang and Gu Nian approaching.
They were walking leisurely.
Gu Nian waved eagerly, "Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Aunt Gao, Little Millet Cake!"
Chu Zhaoyang, usually reserved, softened at the corners of his lips, his eyes slightly curved as if smiling gently.
Seeing Gu Nian's radiant smile, it didn't seem like they had encountered any trouble outside.
At least, nothing bad had happened.
"Come in quickly," the old lady beckoned from the doorway.
Chu Zhaoyang and Gu Nian continued at their unhurried pace.
Now, the old lady was starting to find it a bit strange.
Normally, Gu Nian would have run over already.
Today, she was surprisingly patient.
So, everyone patiently waited for them.
In truth, Gu Nian wanted to pick up her pace.
Even if she couldn't run, she wanted to walk faster.
But Chu Zhaoyang's restraint made it impossible for her to speed up.
This man now treated her like a fragile porcelain doll.
As if she would shatter with even the slightest jostle.
Finally inside, Little Millet Cake couldn't wait and lunged towards Gu Nian, "Mom—"
Before he could finish "Mom," Chu Zhaoyang intercepted him.
With one hand on his collar, he pulled him back to a safe distance from Gu Nian.
"Don't be so restless, you might bump into your mom," Chu Zhaoyang said.
The moment the old lady caught on, she was overcome with an idea.
Immediately, with a mischievous grin, she gently tapped Gu Nian's belly.
Mu Lanshu, not thinking much of it, asked, "Why did you suddenly come back so many days early?"
Even Chu Zhaoyang, usually reserved, couldn't help but smile, looking like a young lad ten years younger, suddenly full of energy.
Regardless of the reason, seeing Chu Zhaoyang like this delighted the old lady beyond measure.
"Come, sit down, it's hot outside," the old lady said with a smile.
Ever since entering June in B City, the temperature hadn't dropped below 30 degrees Celsius, and even at its lowest, it hovered around 20 degrees.
Gu Nian's face was already reddened from the sun.
Seeing the old couple and Mu Lanshu settled in, Chu Zhaoyang cleared his throat and calmly said, "Gu Nian is pregnant."
The old lady had already suspected something, but hearing Chu Zhaoyang say it aloud made her unable to contain her excitement and joy.
Despite her age, she practically jumped up from the sofa.
"Oh! Oh my!" The old lady was so excited she couldn't even speak properly. "Oh" was all she could manage.
The old master maintained his composure, sitting there with an air of disdain for the old lady's uncharacteristic excitement.
His lips twitched, and even his beard trembled uncontrollably.
Clearly happy and wanting to laugh, he restrained himself to maintain his dignity.
"Look at you, what are you doing?" The old master took the opportunity to tease the old lady.
Despite his own excitement, he quivered his beard and said, "Is this such a big deal that you can't even speak properly? Sit down quickly, sit down quickly, don't embarrass yourself."
He coughed lightly and said, "Can't you learn from me?"
"Tsk." The old lady sat back down. "You should stop pretending. Your beard is about to fly to the heavens!"
"Cough!" The old master coughed heavily, looking at her with an expression of "I'm not going to argue with you.
Gu Nian chuckled, and the old lady ignored the old master, turning to Gu Nian and asking, "When did you find out?"
"It was just a few days after we arrived in Country Y that we found out I was pregnant. Because neither of us was prepared, the situation wasn't stable. After visiting the hospital and stabilizing, everything's fine now. We thought it best to come back early so everyone could be reassured, and we could tell you sooner," Gu Nian explained with a smile.
"Yes, yes, it's good to come back early to reassure everyone," the old lady nodded repeatedly.
"How long have you been pregnant?" Mu Lanshu asked.
"Just over a month," Gu Nian replied.
"Oh my, you shouldn't announce it too early. It's better to wait a while, out of respect for these somewhat superstitious customs," the old lady said, showing respect for such traditions.